A Sign of Life (30 images)

“You know how much I loved you, my daughter, why are you doing this to me? We miss you enormously, wherever you are. I am sending you this message in tears. Give us a sign of life!”

Imagine if your child, sibling or spouse disappeared overight, without leaving a trace. Imagine the anguish of seeing their empty room every morning, or the endless nights spent in the hope of receiving a phone call that never comes. Imagine not knowing where they sleep, what they eat or...more »

“You know how much I loved you, my daughter, why are you doing this to me? We miss you enormously, wherever you are. I am sending you this message in tears. Give us a sign of life!”

Imagine if your child, sibling or spouse disappeared overight, without leaving a trace. Imagine the anguish of seeing their empty room every morning, or the endless nights spent in the hope of receiving a phone call that never comes. Imagine not knowing where they sleep, what they eat or if they are still alive.

Every year, hundreds of thousands of African migrants undertake the perilous trip to reach the European shores, escaping misery in search of the Eldorado of their dreams. While thousands of them die, others vanish somewhere along the way, condemning their families to a life-long limbo between hope and desperation.

These are the stories of twelve ordinary families whose lives have been disrupted by such tragedy. After years spent in agony, exhausted and demoralised, they shared with us their personal stories and appeals with the intention of starting a campaign to find them.